Container Carrier

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a container carrier ( 110, 210, 310, 410 ) that is erectable from a blank. The container carrier ( 110, 210, 310, 410 ) having, amongst other things, a first container aperture ( 124 - 1, 224 - 1, 324 - 1, 424 - 1 ) that is defined in a first top panel ( 116, 216, 316, 416 ) adjacent to a first side panel ( 114, 214, 314, 414 ) and &amp; first support wing ( 126 - 1, 226 - 1, 326 - 1, 426 - 1 ) that rigidly extends from a first side panel ( 114, 214, 314, 414 ) in front of the first container aperture ( 124 - 1, 224 - 1, 324 - 1, 4244 ), the first support wing ( 126 - 1, 226 - 1, 326 - 1, 426 - 1 ) being about as tail as or taller than the first side panel ( 114, 214, 314, 414 ).

FIELD

The teachings disclosed herein generally relate to a container carrier for carrying a container.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,882 to Wischusen, published on May 15, 2001 discloses a carrier with internal support members for carrying multiple beverage containers. The carrier is formed from foldable material that can quickly and easily be erected and loaded with beverage containers. The internal support structure of the carrier comprises central support tabs extending from the top panels connected to bottom support tabs extending from the bottom panels. The internal support structure gives the carrier the tensile strength needed to support multiple beverage containers. Arcuate support members restrain the top portions of tire beverage containers from lateral movement. The bottom support members straddle the beverage containers and restrain the bottom portions of the beverage containers from lateral movement. The elongated central support tabs extend slightly into the beverage container receptacles creating a flexure fit when loading beverage containers into the carrier. External support braces are positionable to hold the carrier open during loading.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,091,702 to Kelp, published on Jan. 10, 2012 discloses a folding cup holder carrier that provides for multiple cup carrying from a single folded sheet material blank. The cup carrier has a central handle with opposing tapered sides with multiple apertured hinged cup engagement flaps formed thereon. A base is defined between said respective sides below said multiple apertures to support a cup's bottom once placed through the corresponding apertures arid retained by resilient retainment by the hinge flaps.

GB patent publication 2342637A to Wilson, published on Apr. 19, 2000 discloses a carrier for articles such as bottles or cans comprises a top panel and a bottom panel, the top panel having at least one opening for the insertion of articles, and a handle portion which extends from the bottom panel through the top panel. In use, the force applied to the handle portion counteracts the weight of the articles(s) and acts to restrain relative movements between the panels and handle portion. There may be a side wail with a further opening(s) which may foe aligned with the top openings and may be semi-elliptical; the top opening(s) may be elliptical. The bottom wall may extend below the side-wall opening(s). The top and side walls may be sloping. The articles may be confined to individual cells. The handle portion may extend through a slot in one of the panels, and have a shoulder to support the weight of the articles in use. There may be means to hold articles with different cross-sectional areas. There may be expansion means provided in the carrier which may be in the form of perpendicular slits at the base of the handle portion. Further restraint means may be present in the carrier, and the earner may be made from corrugated cardboard. A blank for forming such a carrier and a method of manufacturing a carrier from such a blank are also described.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect disclosed herein is a container carrier that is erectable from a blank. The container carrier having a bottom panel, a first side panel and a second side panel upstanding from opposite ends of the bottom panel a first top panel depending from the first side panel, a second top panel depending from the second side panel, the first top panel and the second top panel being inclined to the first side panel and the second side panel, respectively, to meet at a ridge, a handle extending upwardly from the ridge, a first container aperture being defined in the first top panel adjacent to the first side panel, and a first support wing that rigidly extends from the first side panel in front of the first container aperture, the first support wing being about as tail as or taller than the first side panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of a container carrier according to a first non-limiting

embodiment;

FIG. 1B depicts a top view of the container carrier of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C depicts a plan view of a blank from which the container carrier of FIG. 1A may be erected;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a container carrier according to a second non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of a container carrier according to a third non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 3B depicts a top view of the container carrier of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C depicts a plan view of a blank from which the container carrier of FIG. 3A may be erected;

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a container carrier according to a fourth non-limiting embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. The applicants, inventors and/or owners contend that any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be protected in one or more other applications, for example in a continuing application, and that they do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Referring to FIG. 1A, there is depicted a first non-limiting embodiment of a container carrier 110 that has been structured for carrying containers (not shown). The type of container that the container carrier 110 may carry is not particular limited, and may include, for example, beverage cups, cans or bottles. In particular, and without specific limitation, the container carrier 110 is particularly well suited for carrying beverage cups having a tapered sidewall that are often used in fast-food carry out packaging for holding coffee, tea and other hot beverages.

The basic structure of the container carrier 110 can be seen to include a bottom panel 112, a pair of side panels (i.e. a first side panel 114 and a second side panel 122), a pair of inclined top panels (i.e. a first top panel 116 and a second top panel 120) and a handle 118. As can be seen, the first side panel 114 and the second side panel 122 depend in an upstanding relation from opposite sides of the bottom panel 112. In turn, the first top panel 116 and the second side panel 120 depend from the first side panel 114 and the second side panel 122, respectively. The first top panel 116 and the second top panel 120 meet to form a ridge from which a handle 118 upwardly extends. The handle 118 includes a handle opening 130 that is suitable for engaging the fingers of a person carrying the container carrier 110.

With further reference to FIG. 1B, it may be appreciated that the container carrier 110 also includes a pair of container apertures (i.e. a first container aperture 124-1 and a second container aperture 124-2) that are defined centrally in the first top panel 116 and the second top panel 120 adjacent to die first side panel 114 and the second side panel 122. The first container aperture 124-1 and the second container aperture 124-2 are configured to engage the container sidewall for securing the container in the container carrier 110. The first container aperture 124-1 and the second container aperture 124-2 are generally elliptical in shape with which to most readily engage the sidewall of the containers (not shown). That being said, the shape of the first container aperture 1244 and the second container aperture 124-2 are not so limited and may be differently configured such as, for example, circular.

Lastly, each of the pair of container apertures may include a support wing (i.e. a first support wing 126-1 and a second support wing 126-2) that rigidly extend (i.e. not hinged) from the first side panel 114 and the second side panel 122 in front of the first container aperture 124-1 and the second container aperture 124-2, respectively. The first support wing 126-1 and fee second support wing 126-2 are configured to further enhance the stability of the containers when arrange in the respective first container aperture 124-1 and the second container aperture 124-2. That is, the first support wing 1244 and the second support wing 124-2 are configured to bear against the sidewall of the containers to push them firmly into contact with the back edges of the first top panel 116 and the second top panel 120 that outline the first container aperture 124-1 and the second container aperture 124-2, respectively. As shown, the ends 128 of the support wings are outwardly curved. That being said, the shape of the ends 128 is not particularly limited and may be otherwise configured, for example, to foe inwardly carved or flat. Furthermore, it may be appreciated that the first support wing 126-1 and the second support wing 126-2 are about as tall as the first side panel 114 and rise second side panel 122, respectively.

A technical effect of making the first support wing 126-1 and the second support wing 126-2 as tall as, or taller than, the first side panel 114 and the second side panel 122, respectively; may include the ability to engage the sidewall of containers having a wide variety of heights thereby increasing the versatility of the container carrier 110.

With reference to FIG. 1C a blank is shown from which the container carrier 110 may be erected. The blank may be made from any suitably rigid material that may be scored arid cut to define the various panels and features of the container carrier 110. Suitable materials may include, for example, cardboard, card stock or plastic. The various panels of the container carrier 110 are separated by fold lines (dashed lines—not separately numerated) that may be defined, for example, as a crease or a series of perforations in the blank. The blank is constructed with the bottom panel 112 at the centre thereof. To the one side of the bottom panel 112 are, in order, the first side panel 114, the first top panel 116 and a first handle panel segment 118-1. Likewise, to the opposite side of the bottom panel 112 are the second side panel 122, the second top panel 120 and a second handle panel segment 118-2. Once erected the first handle panel segment 118-1 and the second handle panel segment 118-2 meet, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, to define the handle 118. As such, the first handle panel segment 118-1 and the second handle panel segment 118-2 each define a first handle opening 130-1 and a second handle opening 130-2 that cooperate in providing the handle opening 130. In addition, to keep the blank in the erected state, a retaining system is provided with which to releasably lock the first handle panel segment 118-1 to the second handle panel segment 118-2. The retaining system includes a first tab 132 and a first tab receptacle 136 that are defined on opposite sidewalls of the first handle panel segment 118-1 and a second tab 134 and a second tab receptacle 138 that are defined on. opposite sidewalls of the second handle panel segment 118-2. As may be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first tab 132 may be bent to engage the second tab receptacle and likewise the second tab 134 may be bent to engage the first tab receptacle 136 thereby locking the first handle panel segment 118-1 to the second handle panel segment 118-2.

With reference to FIG. 2, an alternative non-limiting embodiment of the container carrier 210 is shown. This particular non-limiting embodiment serves to illustrate that the general teachings disclosed herein may be easily extended to container carriers that are configured to accommodate a different number of containers—such as, for example, the four that are depicted in this further non-limiting embodiment.

The basic structure of the container carrier 210 is the same as the container carrier 110 described previously. In particular, the container carrier 210 can be seen to include a bottom panel 212, a pair of side panels (i.e. a first side panel 214 and a second side panel 222), a pair of inclined lop panels (i.e. a first top panel 216 and a second top panel 220) and a handle 218. As can be seen, the first side panel 214 and the second side panel 222 depend in an upstanding relation from opposite sides of the bottom panel 212. In turn, the first top panel 216 and the second side panel 220 depend from the first side panel 214 and the second side panel 222, respectively. The first top panel 216 and the second top panel 220 meet to form a ridge from which a handle 218 upwardly extends. The handle 218 includes a handle opening 230 that is suitable for engaging die fingers of a person carrying the container carrier 210.

The container carrier 210 also includes a set of four container apertures (i.e. a first container aperture 224-1, a second container aperture 224-2, a third container aperture 224-3, and a fourth container aperture—hidden from view). The first and third container apertures 224-1 and 224-3 are defined side by side in the first top panel 216 adjacent to the first side panel 214, whereas the second container aperture 224-2 and the fourth container aperture (not shown) are defined in the second top panel 220 adjacent to the second side panel 222. The container apertures are configured to engage the container sidewalls for securing the containers (not shown) in the container carrier 210. The container apertures are generally elliptical is shape so as to most readily engage the sidewall of the containers (not shown). That being said, the shape of the container apertures are not so limited and may be differently configured such as, for example, circular.

Lastly, each of the container apertures may include a support wing (i.e. a first support wing 226-1, a second support wing 226-2, a third support wing 226-3 and a fourth support wing—not shown) that rigidly extend from the first side panel 214 and the second side panel 222 in front of the respective container apertures. The support wings are configured to further enhance the stability of the containers when arrange in the respective container apertures in the manner described previously.

Referring to FIG. 3A, there is depicted yet another non-limiting embodiment of a container carrier 310 that has been structured for carrying containers (not shown).

Similar to the container carrier 110 described previously, the basic structure of the container carrier 310 can be seen to include a bottom panel 312 (i.e. having a first bottom panel segment 312-1 and a second bottom panel segment 312-2), a pair of side panels (i.e. a first side panel 314 and a second side panel 322), a pair of inclined top panels (i.e. a first top panel 316 and a second top panel 320), a handle 318, and a central support wail 319 that connects the bottom panel 312 with the handle 318. As can be seen, the first side panel 314 and the second side panel 322 depend in an upstanding relation from opposite sides of the bottom panel 312. In turn, the first top panel 316 and fee second side panel 320 depend from the first side panel 314 and the second side panel 322, respectively. The first top panel 316 and the second top panel 320 meet to form a ridge from which a handle 318 upwardly extends. The handle 318 includes a handle opening 330 that is suitable for engaging the fingers of a person carrying the container carrier 310.

With further reference to FIG. 3B, it may be appreciated that the container carrier 310 also includes a pair of container apertures (i.e. a first container aperture 324-1 and a second container aperture 324-2) that are defined centrally in the first top panel 316 and the second top panel 320 adjacent to the first side panel 314 and the second side panel 322. The first container aperture 324-1 and the second container aperture 324-2 are configured to engage the container sidewall for securing containers in the container carrier 310. The first container aperture 324-1 and the second container aperture 324-2 are generally elliptical in shape with which to most readily engage the sidewalk of the containers (not shown). That being said, the shape of the first container aperture 324-1 and the second container aperture 324-2 are not so limited and may be differently configured such as, for example, circular.

Lastly, each of the pair of container apertures may include a support wing (i.e. a first support wing 326-1 and a second support wing 326-2) that rigidly extend from the first side panel 314 and the second side panel 322 in front of the first container aperture 324-1 and the second container aperture 324-2, respectively. The first support wing 326-1 and the second support wing 326-2 are configured to further enhance the stability of the containers when arrange in the respective first container aperture 324-1 and the second container aperture 324-2—in the manner previously described.

With reference to FIG. 3C a blank is shown from which the container carrier 310 may be erected. The blank is constructed with a handle aperture 332 defined centrally therein. To the one side of the handle aperture 332 are, in order, the first top panel 316, the first side panel 314, the first bottom panel segment 312-1, a first central support wail segment 319-1 and a first handle panel segment 318-1. Likewise, to the opposite side of the handle aperture 332 are, in order, the second top panel 320, the second side panel 322, the second bottom panel segment 312-2, a second central support wall segment 319-2 and a second handle panel segment 318-2. Once erected, the first handle panel segment 318-2 and the second handle panel segment 318-2 meet, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, to define the handle 318. As such, the first handle panel segment 318-1 and the second handle panel segment 318-2 each define a first handle opening 330-1 and a second handle opening 330-2, respectively, that cooperate in providing the handle opening 330. When erecting the blank into the container carrier 310, the first handle segment 318-1 and the second handle segment 318-2 are to meet and pass together through the handle aperture 332.

With reference to FIG. 4, yet another alternative non-limiting embodiment of the container carrier 410 is shown.

The basic structure of the container carrier 410 is the same as the container carrier 310 described previously. In particular, the container carrier 410 can be seen to include a bottom panel 412, a pair of side panels (i.e. a first side panel 414 and a second side panel 422), a pair of inclined top panels (i.e. a first top panel 416 and a second top panel 420), a central support wall 419 and a handle 418. As can be seen, the first side panel 414 and the second side panel 422 depend in an upstanding relation from opposite sides of the bottom panel 412. In turn, the first top panel 416 and the second side panel 420 depend from the first side panel 414 and the second side panel 422, respectively. The first top panel 416 and fee second top panel 420 meet to form a ridge from which a handle 418 upwardly extends. The handle 418 includes a handle opening 430 that is suitable for engaging the fingers of a person carrying the container carrier 410.

The container carrier 410 also includes a set of four container apertures (i.e. a first container aperture 424-1, a second container aperture 424-2, a third container aperture 424-3, and a fourth container aperture—hidden from view). The first and third container apertures 424-1 and 424-3 are defined side by side in the first top panel 416 adjacent to the first side panel 414, whereas the second container aperture 424-2 and the fourth container aperture (not shown) are defined in the second top panel 420 adjacent to the second side panel 422. The container apertures are configured to engage the container sidewalls for securing the containers (not shown) in the container carrier 410. The container apertures are generally elliptical in shape so as to most readily engage the sidewall of the containers (not shown). That being said, the shape of the container apertures are not so limited and may be differently configured such as, for example, circular.

Lastly, each of the container apertures may include a support wing (i.e. a first support wing 426-1, a second support wing 426-2, a third support wing 426-3 and a fourth support wing—not shown) that rigidly extend from the first side panel 414 and the second side panel 422 in front of the respective container apertures. The support wings are configured to further enhance the stability of the containers when arrange in the respective container apertures in the manner described previously.

While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses may be within the scope of the accompanying claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A container carrier (110, 210, 310, 410) that is electable from a blank, comprising: a bottom panel (112, 212, 312, 412); a first side panel (114, 214, 314, 414) and a second side panel (120, 220, 320, 420) upstanding from opposite ends of the bottom panel (112, 212, 312, 412); a first top panel (116, 216, 316, 416) depending from the first side panel (114, 214, 314, 414); a second top panel (120, 220, 320, 420) depending from the second side panel (116, 216, 316, 416); the first top panel (116, 216, 316, 416) and the second top panel (120, 220, 320, 420) being inclined to the first side panel (116, 216, 316, 416) and the second side panel (120, 220, 320, 420), respectively, to meet at a ridge; a handle (118, 218, 318, 418) extending upwardly from the ridge; a first container aperture (124-1, 224-1, 324-4, 424-1) being defined in the first top panel (116, 216, 316, 416) adjacent to the first side panel (114, 214, 314, 414); and a first support wing (126-1, 226-4, 326-1, 426-4) that rigidly extends from the first side panel (114, 214, 314, 414) in front of the first container aperture (124-1, 224-4, 324-4, 424-1); the first support wing (126-1, 226-1, 326-1, 4264) being about as tall as or taller than the first side panel (114, 214, 314, 414).
 2. The container carrier (110, 210, 310, 410) of claim 1, wherein: a second container aperture (124-2, 224-2, 324-2, 424-2) is defined in the second top panel (120, 220, 320, 420) adjacent to the second side panel (122, 222, 322, 422); a second support wing (126-2, 226-2, 326-2, 426-2) rigidly extends front the second side panel (122, 222, 322, 422) in front of the second container aperture (124-2, 224-2, 324-2,424-2); the second support wing (126-2, 226-2, 326-2, 426-2) being about as tall as the second side panel (122, 222, 322, 422) or longer.
 3. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 2, wherein: a third container aperture (224-3, 424-3) is defined in the first top panel (216, 416) adjacent to the first side panel (214, 414): a third support wing (226-3, 426-3) rigidly extends from the first side panel (214, 414) in front of the third container aperture (224-3, 424-3); the third support wing (226-3, 426-3) being about as tall as the first side panel (214, 414) or longer.
 4. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 2, wherein: a fourth container aperture is defined in the second top panel (220, 420) adjacent to the second side panel (222, 422); a fourth support wing rigidly extends from the second side panel (222, 422) in front of the fourth container aperture; the fourth support wing being about as tall as the second side panel (222, 422) or longer.
 5. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 1, wherein: the first container aperture (124-1, 224-1, 324-1, 424-1) is elliptical in shape.
 6. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 1, wherein: an end (128) of the first support wing (126-1, 226-1, 326-1, 426-1) is outwardly curved.
 7. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 1, wherein: an end (128) of the first support wing (126-1, 226-1, 326-1, 426-1) is inwardly curved.
 8. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 1, wherein: an end (128) of the first support wing (126-4, 226-4, 326-1, 426-1) is flat.
 9. The container carrier (210, 410) of claim 1, wherein: the first support wing (126-5, 226-1, 326-1, 426-1) is as tail as the first container aperture (124-1, 224-1, 324-1, 424-1) is wide. 